Letters to the editor: Catholics ignore contraceptive ban, Springfield superintendent must make long-term commitment, and more

Recently the news media has been claiming that Roman Catholics are opposed to the new rules which will expand health care coverage to include contraception because Catholic-affiliated hospitals, universities, and social service agencies were not exempted.

Honest reporters would more accurately state that Roman Catholic bishops are opposed and not Roman Catholics in general. When I attend Mass, I see families with one or two children at most among the congregation. Does anyone really think Roman Catholics don't use contraception? Roman Catholics have been ignoring 'the church's teaching' on contraception for decades and everyone knows it including the bishops and the news media.

EDWARD POMEROY III
Springfield

School chief needs commitment

Gumersindo Gomez is right on target with his comments about the circumstances that the Springfield Public School system has endured during the tenure of the last three superintendents, none of whom had any long-term commitment to the school system or the city in general.

Let's keep in mind the fact that when we refer to the Springfield Public School system, in reality we are referring to the students, families and staff who depend on committed and positive leadership from a superintendent who is knowledgeable about Springfield's educational needs and who actually cares about the city as well as the schools.

There is no doubt that a superintendent alone cannot make effective changes, but he or she must set a tone of trust, commitment and realistic leadership that people throughout the schools and the community can honestly support.

While I understand the need to search beyond Springfield in this process, I agree with Gomez in saying that it is time to end the three-superintendent fiasco that has done nothing more than create undue confusion and low morale for all of these years.

No one will be able to convince me that there are no viable candidates for this position within the city and within the school system.

Wouldn't it be a welcome change to have a superintendent who actually lives here; raised his or her family here; worked within the school system and educated his or her children in the public schools?

Finding someone who has the educational background for this position is the relatively easy part of this equation. Finding someone who is deeply committed to the citizens of Springfield and the people who learn from and work in the public schools is a most important piece that must be addressed or we will continue down the same path of failures and negativity that the three most recent superintendents have left behind.

ALLEN G. ZIPPIN
Longmeadow

Letters miss point on church position

Two recent letters to the editor (Feb. 7) miss the whole point of why the Catholic bishops are so upset about the new government rules regarding providing insurance coverage for contraception and abortions.

First, this has nothing to do with a woman's availability to obtain these services. It has to do with whether the government has the ability to force the Catholic Church to pay for practices and procedures it believes to be morally wrong. No one is forced to work for a Catholic institution. If one chooses to do so, she should understand that contraception and abortions will not be covered by insurance.

Second, bishops can speak out against abortion (and anything else they may choose to speak out against) because they have freedom of speech. They cannot, however, force the government to outlaw it. By the same token, members of government may speak out against what the Church does, but they do not have the ability to force the Church to change their beliefs or policies. That is the separation of church and state. This law is a direct violation of this separation.

PATRICE FAGNANT-MACARTHUR
Springfield

Will Gray lived a wonderful life

As the football coach at Springfield College in 1959, I was involved in the College's emphasis in matriculating more black students. Through an alumnus in California, I was able to recommend a worthy student athlete for a financial scholarship at the College. His name was William R. Gray.

Last night I attended his recognition service following his death, at the Henderson Funeral Home in Springfield.

Bill, as he was known, lived out his life with his grand wife, Maura, and five children, in Springfield. His contributions as a "citizen volunteer" in helping others was appreciated by a large attendance. What a wonderful slice of our black community, my estimate 200 strong, were present to honor this great member of our Western Massachusetts and Connecticut area, for a life well spent.